MLB Announces Top All-Star Game Vote Leaders in First Ballot Update

The first update from 2025 MLB All-Star voting was revealed Monday, and it comes as no surprise that New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge and Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, who is set to make his first pitching appearance of the season Monday evening, are leading the way as the top vote-getters.

This year's All-Star Game will be played at Atlanta's Truist Park on July 15, and fans were already given an early preview into what the team's uniforms will look like.

With about a month until the midsummer classic, Judge is leading all MLB players in the early voting update, having already racked up more than 1.5 million votes. Ohtani is second in baseball and first in the National League with just under 1.4 million.

We'll take a look at the top players at each position for both the AL and NL after the first update.

2025 MLB All-Star Voting First Update Results

American League

Position

Player

Team

Number of Votes

Catcher

Cal Raleigh

Seattle Mariners

1,043,168

First Base

Paul Goldschmidt

New York Yankees

667,258

Second Base

Gleyber Torres

Detroit Tigers

535,079

Third Base

Jose Ramirez

Cleveland Guardians

968,754

Shortstop

Jacob Wilson

Athletics

562,696

Outfield

Aaron Judge

New York Yankees

1,568,527

Outfield

Riley Greene

Detroit Tigers

675,070

Outfield

Mike Trout

Los Angeles Angels

475,265

Designated Hitter

Ryan O’Hearn

Baltimore Orioles

353,029

There are some close races atop various positions in the American League. Paul Goldschmidt is just narrowly ahead of Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in voting results, while Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals is in close apursuit of Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson. Additionally, Cleveland Guardians' Steven Kwan trails Mike Trout for the third outfield spot by less than 18,000 votes.

National League

Position

Player

Team

Number of Votes

Catcher

Will Smith

Los Angeles Dodgers

1,124,629

First Base

Freddie Freeman

Los Angeles Dodgers

1,136,389

Second Base

Ketel Marte

Arizona Diamondbacks

850,572

Third Base

Manny Machado

San Diego Padres

955,122

Shortstop

Francisco Lindor

New York Mets

1,019,273

Outfield

Pete Crow-Armstrong

Chicago Cubs

1,126,119

Outfield

Kyle Tucker

Chicago Cubs

704,740

Outfield

Teoscar Hernandez

Los Angeles Dodgers

685,553

Designated Hitter

Shohei Ohtani

Los Angeles Dodgers

1,398,771

The National League is largely dominated by the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are tracking to fill four of the nine starting positions. In fact, the Dodgers have a player who received the first or second most votes at every single position in the first update of All-Star voting.

Phase one of All-Star voting runs until June 26, after which the votes will be tallied and the top two players from each position will advance to phase two, which runs from June 30 to July 2. More on that can be found here.

Ex-England & Premier League player arrested at airport on suspicion of attempted rape

A former England international, who played Premier League football, has reportedly been arrested on suspicion of attempted rape. The suspect, who is said to have represented the Three Lions in the 2010s, was detained when passing through Stansted Airport following an allegation from an ex-partner that is now being investigated by the relevant authorities.

  • Suspect apprehended at Stansted Airport

    Police have announced that the player in question has been bailed pending further inquiries. He was apprehended by security when being stopped at Stansted. Border Forces stepped in at passport control.

    reports that the former Premier League performer was wanted by police over a “non-recent allegation of attempted rape reported by a former partner”. He was stopped from boarding a flight with a budget airline on November 30.

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    Allegation made by former partner

    A source told The Sun, with efforts being made to avoid causing a scene in a very public place: “He was walking through passport control when he was discreetly pulled aside by Border Force. There was clearly an issue and he was led away.”

    A complaint is said to have been lodged by the player’s ex-partner several weeks ago. Essex Police subsequently opened an investigation. Officers from that constabulary are said to have been alerted to possible movement, allowing them to descend on Stansted Airport and make an arrest.

  • Suspect held in police custody

    The one-time England international will have been held behind bars after being taken to a local police station, as he waited for his solicitor to arrive. Fingerprints, a DNA sample and mugshots have been taken – as is standard procedure in a case of this type.

    It is reported that the suspect was held in custody for “several hours” before being released on bail as inquiries continue. The player at the centre of the investigation is said to have “attended recent public events”, leading to confusion as to why he has only now been arrested when passing through an airport.

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    Statement from Essex Police

    An insider for The Sun added on decisive action that was taken over the weekend: “It’s bizarre that he was arrested at the airport when he has been quite visible in public recently.”

    The complainant is said to have been “interviewed by specialist sex crimes officers and offered counselling and support”. A spokesperson for Essex Police has said, with the suspect unable to be named for legal reasons: “A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted rape and has been bailed to a date in late February 2026 while we continue our inquiries.”

Enzo Maresca drops fresh Cole Palmer injury update ahead of Chelsea v Barcelona

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has now dropped a fresh injury update on Cole Palmer ahead of the tough Champions League clash against Barcelona on Tuesday night.

The Blues are gearing up for a difficult fixture in mid-week, taking on reigning La Liga champions Barca in their fifth Champions League fixture this season, and Maresca’s side will be aiming to put things right after only being able to muster up a 1-1 draw against Qarabag last time out.

However, the west Londoners have been struggling on the injury front for quite some time, which will be a concern for the manager, with the likes of Levi Colwill, Romeo Lavia and Palmer still sidelined, missing the 2-0 victory against Burnley at the weekend.

The Italian will no doubt be frustrated the England international has missed large parts of the campaign, having said back in January: “His team-mates see him as a top player so at the moment when we have some difficulties and we are looking for the closest one to help us, we need Cole to step forward in that moment.

“In that moment, in the second-half against Wolves, he showed his team-mate he is a leader inside the pitch.”

However, there has now been a promising update on the 23-year-old’s injury ahead of Tuesday’s clash with Barcelona…

Enzo Maresca drops injury update on Cole Palmer

As relayed by Football London, Maresca has now confirmed Palmer has already returned to training, saying: “Yeah, we don’t know when, but for sure, it will be soon. He is already on the pitch, touching the ball and the feeling is good.”

The 45-year-old stopped short of confirming whether the £130k-a-week star will be available for the tough test against Barca, but a swift return appears to be on the cards, which will be welcome news, heading into a tricky run of fixtures.

Chelsea’s upcoming fixtures

Date

Barcelona (h)

November 25th

Arsenal (h)

November 30th

Leeds United (a)

December 3rd

AFC Bournemouth (a)

December 6th

Atalanta (a)

December 9th

The Blues may have an outside chance of winning the Premier League title, having moved into second place courtesy of the victory at Turf Moor, and they could make a major statement by defeating league leaders Arsenal at Stamford Bridge this Sunday.

However, Maresca will need his best players available if Chelsea are to stand any chance of beating the Gunners, and the former Manchester City man is certainly in that category, having contributed 45 goals and 29 assists in 101 appearances since moving to west London.

Palmer will also be eager to receive consistent game time to ensure he is on the plane to the World Cup with England, having proven his ability to deliver in big games by scoring against Spain in the final of Euro 2024.

Chelsea have Palmer 2.0 with a "left foot made of gold"

Chelsea have Palmer 2.0 with a "left foot made of gold" & it's not Estevao

The promising talent could be the perfect solution to Chelsea’s Cole Palmer problem.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Nov 22, 2025

An Abnormally Large Therapy Bunny Stole the Show at Giants-Mariners Game

There are few joys in life greater than the first trip back to the ballpark at the start of baseball season.

The sights and sounds of the ballpark have the ability to immediately bring you back to summers long gone by. The crack of the bat. The taste of that first hot dog. The seventh inning stretch. The emotional support bunny.

Okay, that last one might not be a staple for all baseball fans, but it sure was for those in attendance in San Francisco over the weekend when the Giants hosted the Seattle Mariners.

Early in the game, cameras showed one fan in the stands holding what was described as an emotional support rabbit. It was a very big rabbit.

“Don’t you just want to give it a hug?” asked commentator Mike Krukow. “What’s softer than rabbit fur?”

To answer your questions in order Mike, 1) yes, 2) nothing.

Krukow’s delight with the rabbit did not stop there, and was wholesomely endearing.

"Whoever discovered the beauty of the therapy animal is—a special place in Heaven for,” he said. “It is remarkable what animals can do to relieve anxiety and depression."

Right again, Kruk.

For those not in the know (I certainly wasn’t), the rabbit in question is named Alex the Great, and is something of a cultural icon in the Bay Area.

As one fan posted on social media, “We loveeee Alex the therapy rabbit.”

It wasn’t even the first time Alex the Great had delighted fans at Oracle Park, having become a similar sensation back in 2021.

More bunnies at baseball games, please.

Germany's Karim Adeyemi reportedly makes his choice as Borussia Dortmund star is linked with Arsenal and Man Utd this summer

Karim Adeyemi has reportedly made his choice between Manchester United and Arsenal as the Borussia Dortmund star is tipped to leave the Bundesliga next summer. The 23-year-old, whose contract runs until 2027, has stalled on extension talks with Dortmund and has privately accepted that a fresh challenge awaits him.

  • United’s hopes fade despite early contact

    According to United have been tracking Adeyemi closely for months, even speaking to his agent Jorge Mendes to gauge his appetite for a Premier League switch. But optimism quickly evaporated once it became clear that the forward favours Arsenal’s project. Moreover, the German club have set a £75 million ($98m) valuation, significantly higher than what United were prepared to pay, and Adeyemi has already told intermediaries that a move to Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal is his first choice. His preference leaves United searching for alternatives and further highlights the challenge Amorim faces in persuading top-tier forwards to join a rebuilding side.

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    Weapons scandal looms Over Adeyemi

    Adeyemi issued a public apology following a €450,000 fine for possessing prohibited weapons, a knuckleduster and a taser, which he had received unknowingly as part of an online “mystery box”.

    In a candid Instagram statement, he explained: "You have probably seen the headlines about me in the last few days. It is not easy for me to talk about this. At the beginning of 2024, out of carelessness and without really thinking about what I was doing, I ordered a so-called ‘mystery box’ on the internet. It contained items that are not permitted under weapons legislation. Many months later, the package was delivered and ended up unopened at the police station.

    "Nevertheless, it was a huge mistake. One that I am very sorry about, that cost me dearly and that I deeply regret. I know that I am in the public eye and have a role model function. I did not live up to that. That is precisely why it hurts me all the more that I acted so recklessly. I have learned more from this than I can put into words. And I promise you that I will avoid such mistakes in the future. Thank you to everyone who still trusts and supports me."

  • No penalty imposed by Dortmund

    The case could have resulted in up to three years in prison under German weapons law, or ten if brass knuckles were involved, but Adeyemi escaped with a financial penalty. The fine was calculated based on his income, leaving him with an entry in the federal register but not a criminal record.

    Dortmund have opted against further sanctions. Manager Niko Kovac made that clear: "It is no reason for me to ban him for the next few weeks. I am not his father, but his coach. People should put things into proper perspective. Everything has now been said about it. The focus is clearly on the Bundesliga. He will get our full support for that.”

    Managing director Lars Ricken also defended the player’s character, emphasising his remorse and their belief in his promise to avoid future lapses.

    "We naturally took the matter very seriously and have since been able to speak with Karim Adeyemi at length and clearly about his behaviour," Ricken told Sky Sport. "He deeply regrets his mistake. However, it must also be taken into account that he had to pay a hefty fine, no one was harmed, and the player continues to be considered to have no criminal record. Karim Adeyemi has firmly promised us that he will not make such a mistake again. We trust him to keep his word."

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    German federation also weighs in

    DFB sporting director Rudi Voller admitted to being blindsided by the situation but urged perspective: "Yes, of course we didn't know [about Adeyemi illegally possessing weapons]. The day after the game in Luxembourg, Lars Ricken called me and told me. He didn't know everything either. Then Julian [Nagelsmann] and I grabbed Karim. We wanted to hear his side of the story. He then tried to explain it to us, more or less.

    “We still have the feeling that the lad is developing exceptionally well in the national team. We also live a bit in a time of outrage culture here in Germany…Everyone is always quick to complain, not that I want to sugarcoat it. It's naive or stupid, no matter what you call it."

    With contract renewal talks effectively dead, Dortmund now expect a summer sale, and hope the £75m price tag will hold. Arsenal believe he could be a long-term solution for their wide forward positions, especially with Mikel Arteta keen to add pace and penetration to his attack. For United, frustration is familiar. They have pushed hard to identify a forward who can grow alongside Rasmus Hojlund, yet Adeyemi has chosen the red of London instead of Manchester.

Dream for Woltemade: Newcastle could hire "one of the best managers" in England

Newcastle United are in an unusual position at the moment, as Eddie Howe’s long-standing position as manager is now under threat.

Howe has been in the Magpies’ hot seat since October 2021, when the hugely unpopular Steve Bruce was ditched, and it’s fair to say the 47-year-old has been a resounding success, for the most part, finished twice inside the Champions League places and securing an EFL Cup triumph.

Still, with just three wins from 11 in Premier League action this season in isolation, it’s right that the beloved Toon boss is facing scrutiny currently.

Nick Woltemade could well be the man to guide Newcastle up the league in the coming weeks to keep Howe situated on Tyneside, though, with the 6-foot-6 goal machine continuing on his fine run of goalscoring form in England on the international stage for Germany during the break.

How Woltemade can save Howe's job

Off the back of bagging three goals for Germany during the recent stage of World Cup qualifying, the £69m summer recruit is now up to a stunning ten goals this season for both club and country.

If he keeps up this blistering form, the results will turn in the Toon’s favour in time, with Woltemade’s 12 goals for Stuttgart last season pushing them far away from the lower reaches of the Bundesliga and into European conversations.

On top of being clearly potent, which will hopefully stand the underachieving Newcastle in good stead during tense matches to come, Woltemade was also purchased this summer for that high amount for how he stylishly links up with teammates around him.

That was seen in him cleverly flicking a ball through to Harvey Barnes to score in the Champions League in October.

Journalist Adam Clery would even go out of his way to state that the much-loved German “made this entire goal” with this ingenious bit of skill, with this unselfish approach perhaps getting the best out of the likes of Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga down the line to rise the league standings.

Of course, he isn’t superhuman, with Woltemade frustratingly amassing no shots on goal against Brentford and West Ham United in back-to-back defeats when managing just 45 touches of the ball.

So, perhaps a different manager could get even more out of the clinical marksman if Newcastle were to replace Howe. After all, Toon reporter Craig Hope has already noted that ‘a 6ft 6in striker who plays with his back to goal & drops so deep was never the plan.’

Why a new manager can get more from Woltemade at Newcastle

The Mirror has speculated who could come in for Howe if he is to be relieved of his long-standing duties very soon, with the likes of Andoni Iraola and Oliver Glasner named.

But, if Newcastle want a manager in the same mould as the 47-year-old, they could look to hire Kieran McKenna, with the Ipswich Town boss making a name for himself from a very young age in the main management game, much like Howe did when managing AFC Bournemouth.

McKenna would transform the Tractor Boys’ faltering fortunes when taking them up all the way from League One to the Premier League via back-to-back promotions, leading to former Manchester United midfielder Nicky Butt lauding the ex-Red Devils coach as “one of the best coaches” in England.

Woltemade would surely love to work alongside the 4-2-3-1-focused manager if he were to swap Suffolk for St James’ Park, with his Ipswich sides over the years centring on some explosive, yet team-oriented attackers, much like the German has already shown in spades at his new home.

McKenna’s numbers as Ipswich manager

Stat

McKenna

Games managed

188

Wins

88

Draws

50

Losses

50

Goals scored

340

Goals conceded

239

Points accumulated

314

Sourced by Transfermarkt

Indeed, from 188 games in charge of the Tractor Boys, McKenna has overseen 88 wins with a mighty 348 goals scored along the way.

Up in the Premier League last season, the Northern Irishman would turn Liam Delap into a Chelsea-bound centre-forward, having got 12 top-flight strikes out of the ex-Manchester City striker from 40 games, even as his side languished near the drop zone all campaign long.

Therefore, with Delap also coming in a slick, yet imposing presence like Woltemade at a 6-foot-2 frame, it’s intriguing to see what McKenna could do to Woltemade if he were handed the Newcastle reins, having further got an impressive haul of 73 goals out of Conor Chaplin and George Hirst in the EFL and above.

The worry here would be that McKenna’s only Premier League season to date as a manager resulted in relegation, but having been previously tipped to go to “the very top” by podcaster Dave Hendrick, this could be the 39-year-old’s chance of becoming an established boss in the big time.

With his glittering track record with strikers, Woltemade could come even more into his own under his fresh set of ideas if he does surprisingly succeed Howe, as the powers that be at Newcastle continue to ponder whether a change is the correct call right now.

Better deal than Woltemade: Newcastle among favourites to sign £100m star

Newcastle need to add some more quality to Eddie Howe’s side in 2026.

1

By
Angus Sinclair

Nov 18, 2025

Five Underrated MLB Free Agents Still Available to Sign

Major League Baseball's free agent frenzy is in full swing, and we all know who the top targets are. With Juan Soto, Max Fried, Blake Snell and other big names already off the board, most teams have turned to digging into the next tier of available players.

There are plenty of hidden gems in this free-agent class. What follows is a look at five of the most underrated players still available.

Joc Pederson, OF/DH (No. 30, SI Big Board)

Pederson finished his 2024 campaign by slashing .275/.393/.515, with 23 home runs, 64 RBIs and a wRC+ of 151 in 132 games for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He produced 2.9 WAR, which was his best since 2019, and his .908 OPS was a career high. So why isn't he getting more attention on the free agent market? Pederson is almost exclusively a designated hitter at this point in his career, and most teams prefer to rotate at the position.

Still, Pederson continued to reinvent himself in 2024, which bodes well for his future. He slugged a career-best .636 against fastballs and continued to crush right-handed pitching. He finished the season slashing .281/.392/.531 with an OPS of .923 in 335 at-bats against righties, and racked up 22 home runs in the process. The problem is, he still struggles against lefties, and hit .219 against them with one home run.

The 32-year-old Pederson will find a job but it'll take a while for the market to clear enough for him to get his shot.

Walker Buehler, SP (No. 25)

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Buehler struggled for much of the 2024 season as he returned from Tommy John surgery. He went 1–6 with a 5.38 ERA, a 1.55 WHIP and 64 strikeouts against 28 walks in 75 1/3 innings pitched. But he seemed to find something in the postseason and helped the Los Angeles Dodgers secure a World Series title.

In the playoffs, Buehler had three starts and went 1–1 with a 3.60 ERA, a 1.13 WHIP and 13 strikeouts against five walks in 15 innings. Over his final three appearances, he allowed no runs and five hits over 10 innings while striking out 13 and walking four. He took the win in Game 3 of the World Series after baffling the New York Yankees' lineup, going five shutout innings and allowing two hits and two walks while striking out five. He also came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth inning in Game 5 to close out the series, pitching a shutout inning and striking out Austin Wells and Alex Verdugo to secure the win and the championship.

Buehler has a ways to go to return to his status as an All-Star. But he's only 30 years old and there is tremendous upside here.

Carlos Santana, 1B (No. 44)

Sep 26, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins first base Carlos Santana (30) hits in the second inning against the Miami Marlins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images / Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

Santana continues to find jobs and hit well enough deep into his thirties to latch on somewhere year after year. The 2025 campaign should be no different despite the fact he’ll turn 39 in April. Last season with the Minnesota Twins, Santana slashed .238/.328/.420 with 23 home runs, 71 RBIs and an wRC+ of 114. He also picked up the first Gold Glove of his career.

An All-Star in 2019, Santana is in the journeyman stage of his career, playing for five teams in the last three seasons. But he provides value as a switch-hitter and positively hammered left-handers, as he posted a .923 OPS and 161 wRC+ against them in 2024. He did struggle against righties, as he only put up a .676 OPS in 374 at-bats against them.

Santana will be a useful bat who can still get provide excellent defense at first base. He should be a low-cost option for teams in need of a placeholder there.

Kirby Yates, RP (No. 33)

Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Yates is one of the most underrated players in baseball. He was an All-Star in 2024 for the second time in his career and was named second-team All-MLB. He joined the Texas Rangers and went 7–2 with a 1.17 ERA, a 0.83 WHIP, and 85 strikeouts against 28 walks in 61 2/3 innings. He also converted 33 saves in 34 chances.

Yates will be 38 when the 2025 season begins, so he'll get a short contract, but he has proven again and again that he's an elite reliever. He only pitched 11 1/3 innings from 2020 through ’22 due to injuries, but around that he has had four consecutive seasons with an ERA below 3.30, and has 93 saves in 101 chances since ’18.

Someone will sign Yates and he'll likely continue to be an excellent piece at the back of a bullpen.

Max Kepler, OF (No. 48)

Jun 25, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Kepler looked to be returning to his former self in 2023, as the 31-year-old posted a .816 OPS, a 123 wRC+, and produced 2.9 WAR. Unfortunately, last season made that seem like a momentary upward blip.

He broke out with 36 home runs and 90 RBIs in 2019, producing a 4.0 WAR season he has yet to duplicate. In 105 games last season he slashed .253/.302/.380 with eight home runs, 42 RBIs, an OPS of .682, a wRC+ of 94, and produced 1.0 WAR. It wasn't a great look for a guy headed into free agency.

Kepler is still a good defender who has the potential to hit 30 home runs if someone could fix his approach. This is a pure upside play for a guy who will be 32 and will be looking for a short-term, prove-it deal.

'The problem Liverpool have got is Florian Wirtz' – Arne Slot told £116m man is standing in way of tactical solution for Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike

Liverpool’s attacking puzzle under Arne Slot has taken a new twist as Dwight Yorke claims £116 million summer signing Florian Wirtz is blocking the club’s best tactical solution. The Manchester United legend believes Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike can replicate his iconic partnership with Andy Cole — but only if Slot is brave enough to play them together.

  • Liverpool struggling for consistency with new look side

    Liverpool’s summer rebuild has created a fascinating but complicated tactical dilemma for Slot, with three major attacking signings all vying for prominence. Isak, Ekitike and Wirtz arrived with enormous expectations, but their profiles overlap in ways that have made it difficult for Slot to assemble a cohesive forward line. While Ekitike has adapted quickly, and Isak is still integrating following a disrupted pre-season, Wirtz has struggled to find a consistent rhythm in the Premier League.

    The German international has shown flashes of creativity but has also slowed the tempo in key moments, making Liverpool’s attack feel disjointed when all three are on the pitch together. Slot has rotated heavily to avoid overloading certain zones, but the lack of a settled attacking structure has raised questions about how the manager plans to get the most from his forwards. With Liverpool still adjusting to life under a new system, the debate around finding balance in the final third has intensified.

    The issue has become even more prominent due to injuries elsewhere in the squad, which have forced Slot to struggle for stability. As a result, the pressure to find a sustainable solution has grown rapidly. Yorke believes the answer is obvious and that Liverpool already possesses the personnel to fix the issue if Slot is willing to take a risk.

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    Isak and Ekitike could mirror Yorke and Cole's partnership

    Yorke believes Liverpool could unlock a devastating partnership if Isak and Ekitike are played together, directly comparing their potential to the legendary duo he formed with Cole. In his exclusive interview with Snabbare, he explained that the key lies in creating the right competitive dynamic within the squad. Yorke said: "You have got to create a healthy atmosphere around the place. If you create a competitive spirit where you feel like you’re competing with friends all on the same team then there’s no hatred or bad feeling there. That’s the first thing."

    Yorke went on to discuss how his own rivalry with Cole fuelled their success, adding: "Coley wasn’t hateful of me coming to United. I was coming to challenge him for his position at first because I was the new signing, the new kid on the block, but he accepted that challenge. He didn’t accept that I was a better player than him. He had to believe in his own ability. He was willing to fight, and don’t forget that Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer were there as well. The competition was even greater. Coley could have taken the easy option and left the club. He didn’t because he trusted his ability. That’s the second thing."

  • Yorke says Wirtz is a 'problem' for Liverpool and Slot

    Yorke also highlighted how tactical balance naturally emerged once he and Cole began to show complementary traits, saying: "On the flip side, I was the expensive new signing but that didn’t guarantee me anything. I had to go and show what I was capable of doing. I think the gaffer got lucky because I wasn’t really a nine. I can play nine but I was more of a link player, I liked to get involved in the play, so it sorted itself out. We had two flying wingers and I could jump into pockets and Coley played as the nine. Liverpool’s players can find a solution for themselves too. That’s the third thing."

    Yorke concluded by insisting the partnership could flourish if Slot is willing to try it: "Isak could be the nine. Ekitike can play wide. But you won’t know until Slot is forced into trying it. He might go that way like how Sir Alex fell into what worked for me and Coley." But he also warned of a major obstacle at Anfield, declaring: "The problem Liverpool have got is Florian Wirtz. That might cause a little bit of an issue because of the money he has come in on too. But Slot has to trust himself and trust his instincts on whether Ekitike and Isak can score goals together because they can both score goals as individuals. You’d think together they are only going to be a bigger threat for their opposition."

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    How will Slot handle his three-pronged situation?

    Liverpool face a crucial period in the coming months as Slot continues searching for the most effective structure for his revamped frontline. The manager has shown willingness to experiment but has not yet paired Isak and Ekitike consistently in a system built specifically for two forwards. As pressure grows, Yorke’s comments may amplify calls for Slot to trial the partnership before the season reaches a decisive phase.

    Florian Wirtz will remain central to the tactical debate as the German attempts to sharpen his consistency and adapt to the Premier League’s tempo. Liverpool’s staff remain confident that Wirtz will click, but patience will be tested if results fluctuate. For now, Slot must find a way to extract the best from all three players while keeping the squad balanced, competitive and aligned with his long-term tactical vision.

Forget Price: £3m “lion” is West Brom’s best signing since Corberan left

Every West Bromwich Albion manager who has taken on the reins since Carlos Corberan’s exit in late 2024 is undoubtedly trying to achieve success with the Spaniard’s legacy weighing heavily on them.

Corberan would turn the Baggies into regular promotion contenders in the Championship, which made his departure to Valencia last year very much sting.

To make matters worse, the wheels would come off West Brom’s 2024/25 season at a worryingly quick pace after he moved on to La Liga, with his successor in Tony Mowbray only managing to collect a paltry five victories from 17 matches before being dismissed.

Now, the pressure is on Ryan Mason’s shoulders to deliver, and the strain is already beginning to show, with two recent Championship defeats on the spin for the perpetual promotion nearly-men even seeing some Baggies natives begin to grow restless with their new 34-year-old boss.

It hasn’t been completely bleak since Corberan returned to Spain, however, with a lot of star quality still on display from some new signings.

West Brom's mixed recruitment since Corberan left

In the direct aftermath of Corberan leaving, though, there were some underwhelming flops to stomach.

Namely, Adam Armstrong would relocate to the Hawthorns on loan and fail to live up to this well-known image of him being a prolific performer in the EFL’s top league, with just a forgettable three goals falling into his lap from 16 outings in the West Midlands.

Tammer Bany, who was purchased this January for a whopping £3.3m, has also failed to get up and running in England as a post-Corberan purchase.

But, there have been some success stories to hold onto.

Isaac Price is very much the first name that springs to mind in this regard, having signed for the Championship outfit a matter of days after Mowbray was unveiled.

While he was a Mowbray capture, he has very much come into his own this season under the fresh methods of Mason, with a stunning five goals and two assists next to his name in all competitions.

Other members of Mason’s first team are also in with a shout to be the best buy since Corberan moved on, with Chris Mepham one worthy candidate, as the Welsh centre-back has become an everpresent member of his new manager’s defence to soften the blow of Torbjørn Heggem exiting for Bologna.

But, it’s a different defensive monster who could be well handed the honour…

West Brom's best signing post-Corberan

While Price has dominated a lot of West Brom conversations this campaign with his goal and assist output, he has also been prone to a quiet day at the office, frustratingly.

Indeed, the Northern Ireland international would go the entirety of September without collecting a single goal or assist.

During this same month, it could be argued that Nathaniel Phillips was very much settling into his new Hawthorns environment, on the contrary, with the decision to bring in the Premier League-experienced defender for just £3m already looking to be an ingenious move.

The 28-year-old is yet to miss a Championship game this season, and for good reason, with the 6-foot-3 colossus very much living up to his billing as a “lion”, as he was lauded by his former Anfield coach in Pepijn Lijnders.

Indeed, in West Brom blue and white so far, Phillips has won a commanding 5.5 duels on average across his 12 league clashes to date.

Phillips’ league numbers for West Brom

Stat – per 90 mins*

Phillips

Games played

12

Goals scored

1

Assists

0

Touches*

81.9

Accurate passes*

56.6 (86%)

Ball recoveries*

4.3

Clearances*

7.4

Total duels won*

5.5

Clean sheets

3

Stats by Sofascore

Looking at the table above in greater detail only further reinforces how much of a sterling purchase Phillips has already been, with his brute strength when rising up for duels also gifting him one goal at his new club, already, away from also cutting an assured presence on the ball with 56.6 accurate passes averaged per tense match.

EFL pundit Sam Parkin would likely agree with Phillips being one of West Brom’s best signings in recent memory, with him labelling the former Derby County loanee as “absolutely sensational” after he collected a clean sheet versus promotion rivals Stoke City.

Mason will need both Price and Phillips performing to their maximum to try and get his side out of their current sticky patch of form.

But, while the first of those named has shone in spurts and looks a top talent for the future, Phillips has been the real deal from minute one of his West Brom journey, with 19 Premier League appearances also under his belt, standing the Baggies in good stead if they can finally break their second-tier hoodoo.

West Brom have signed "explosive" star who is a bigger talent than Fellows

West Bromwich Albion have signed a new explosive star who is an even bigger talent than Tom Fellows.

By
Kelan Sarson

Oct 29, 2025

Fernando Tatis Jr. Egged On Booing Dodgers Fans in Game 2 of NLDS

San Diego Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. was off to a hot start in Sunday's Game 2 vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series.

Tatis started off by crushing a 387-foot home run in the first inning to put the Padres on the board early. In the third inning, he hit a double. He was later brought in for a run in the sixth inning.

The right fielder was shining defensively, too. He caught what appeared to be an uncatchable ball from Freddie Freeman in the fourth inning. As he stood in the outfield after pulling down the deep line drive, Dodgers fans began booing Tatis. Instead of letting their jeers bother him, Tatis fully embraced the boos, and he even egged them on to get louder and keep going.

He wanted the Dodgers fans to know the noise didn't bother him.

Tatis was one of the players Dodgers fans were most worried about facing. Before Sunday's game, Tatis was averaging .600/.692/1.000 through the first three Padres postseason games.

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